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Bomb Dat a Cent er Date: 05/24/2002
Intelligence Summary 2002-4
Improvised Explosive Devices Used in Suicide Bombing Incidents
Approved by: SSA Kevin R. Olsen
Prepared by: IRS Michael W. Fanning
FBI, Bomb Data Center
(202) 324-2315
Reference: For a detailed discussion of suicide bombing tactics used by various terrorist
organizations, please consult BDC Intelligence Summary 2002-1, titled "Suicide Bombings."
Details: This publication is intended to provide a more detailed description of improvised
explosive devices utilized by terrorist organizations in suicide bombing incidents than has been
previously provided.
Device Types:
Internationally, suicide bombings can be grouped into three basic categories of devices:
Type I - Bomber Actuated IEDs Carried in Bag, Box or Other Object
Type II - Bomber Actuated IED Worn Under or as Part of Clothing of Bomber
Type III - Bomber Actuated IED Concealed in Vehicle
In incidents involving Type I devices, the bomb is typically
concealed in an object with cursory camouflage to hide the device
from casual observation. Typical device sizes may range from 5-15
kilograms (kg), including the explosives and any additional
fragmentation. Devices may be concealed in ordinary items intended
to blend into the target environment. In the bombing pictured at left, a
suicide bomber carrying an IED concealed in a guitar within a guitar
case walked into a Jerusalem fast-food restaurant on August 9, 2001
and detonated the device. The incident took place in an area adjacent
to a music academy and on a street with several music shops, thus
making the guitar case look innocent upon initial inspection. Other
incidents have involved suicide bombers carrying consumer electronic
boxes such as a television box, in areas with numerous electronics
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Typical Vest Type Suicide Device Using PVC
Pipes
Vest shown from rear.
stores. One of the more common tactics is to use a backpack or small duffel bag to carry the device
into the target area. In general, the bombers will usually try to match the external package with the
target environment and select items which will not attract attention. Typically, a push-button switch is
attached to a wire extending out of the object and into the hand carrying the device.
Type II devices involve the use of "body bombs," which are useful for the infiltration of the
target area by terrorist operatives. This choice of methodology remains the most popular for suicide
bombers and is one of the most effective means of infiltrating a suicide device to the chosen target.
Body bombs typically run in size from 1/2 to 10 kg, with the limiting factor generally being the ability to
conceal the device under clothing. Explosives may range from cast military grade explosives such as
TNT to improvised high explosives such as TATP. The devices may be worn under the clothing as a
belt by the suicide bomber or built into an outer garment. In some cases, the explosives are contained
in metal or plastic pipes, typically when powders or crystalline explosives are used or when the bomber
is seeking an enhanced fragmentation effect. The figures below represent a typical suicide IED
concealed within a vest. From the front, little of the device is visible, however, the rear view shows the
outline of the PVC pipes that have been sewn into the inside of the vest clearly. In this type of device,
the explosives are contained in multiple small diameter (1 1/2" or less) plastic pipes. The explosives in
this particular vest are generally highly sensitive improvised explosives, which can be initiated with a 1.5
volt lamp. In many cases, an improvised initiator is not required in every pipe as the explosion of one
pipe can sympathetically detonate other pipes. Power is supplied by a 9-volt or larger battery and
initiation is controlled through a simple switch, usually concealed in a pocket of the vest, the bombers
pants or run through a sleeve to the bombers hand.
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Vest drawn back, showing concealed pipes and wires
Vest, showing 14 pipes containing
explosives
Typical Initiation Switch,
Concealed in Pocket of Vest
In the photograph below, the vest is shown pulled back from the bombers body and the
number of pipes and method of securing them into the clothing is visible. In some cases, the
inner liner of the item of clothing is removed, the pipes or explosives are inserted and the liner replaced,
making identification based upon a casual visual inspection difficult.
A more overt style of Type II bomb utilizes an apron with pouches in front. This type of device
can typically carry more explosives concentrated in one portion of the body, however, it requires
additional clothing to conceal the presence of the device. The explosives may be loaded into the
pouches in pipes or plastic bags. As with vest-type bombs, pipes may be used, however, these tend to
add to the bulk of the device. Fragmentation can also be included, typically in the form of nails, bolts,
or nuts between layers of sheet metal and bonded with glue. In some cases, there have been open-
source reports indicating the use of a pesticide, Lindane, in suicide bombings in Israel. No ill effects
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have been reported that are attributed to the Lindane.
In the photographs below, note the relatively low profile of the vest when viewed from the front
or side. This type of vest can carry 5 kg of explosives with relative ease and has been used on several
occasions in Israel to devastating effect.
Typically, a bomber deploying this type of device would wear a loose-fitting shirt or coat over
the explosives in order to facilitate his approach to the target area. Attacks using these types of devices
have been frequently conducted against night clubs, discos,
restaurants, and other locations where large crowds gather.
Type III Devices
Suicide bombers in vehicles may utilize a variety of explosives. The selection of a specific
explosive is generally based on the characteristics of the selected target, the materials available in the
area where the bomb is prepared, and the technical knowledge of the bomb maker. Generally, these
devices are simply initiated explosive charges, often with an electrical switch mounted near the driver
who would operate it when the vehicle is in place.
Tactics which might be used in these cases include the use of additional personnel riding with
the driver to attack or distract security officials. The use of this tactic has been seen in attacks by the
Egyptian Islamic Jihad during the attack on the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan in 1995 and
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by Al-Qaeda in the attack on the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya in 1998. In the Egyptian Embassy
attack, a passenger detonated a charge against the gate of the embassy, described as a body bomb, to
allow the vehicle containing the bomb to enter the embassy grounds. In the Nairobi embassy bombing,
a passenger was equipped with a pistol and grenades and instructed to attack the guards at a vehicle
gate at the rear of the embassy compound to allow the bomb vehicle to get closer. As a secondary
note, the passenger was instructed to throw a grenade into the back of the cargo area if the primary
initiation system (electrical) failed to function.
Render Safe Procedures
To date, suicide bombs have utilized fairly crude initiation systems, generally consisting of a
simple electric switch with initiators connected in series and a power source. Terrorists have been
observed using a wide variety of explosive materials, including a large number of materials based on
Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) mixed with other components. These mixtures may have a
different appearance than standard TATP (colorless crystals), however, any unknown
chemical in a bombing situation should be assumed to have the highest possible sensitivity to
heat, shock, and friction.
In general, bomb squad involvement in suicide bombing situations generally comes in one of
two scenarios - post blast evidence collection or render safe of a device which failed to function.
Tactics which have been used by suicide bombers in the past include: the use of multiple
simultaneous suicide bombers in a public area; the use of multiple, staggered suicide bombs in a public
area; the use of a suicide bomber and a time delay vehicle bomb in a public area; the use of multiple
suicide bombers in conjunction with a time delay vehicle bomb.
Standard procedures when arriving at the scene of a suspected or confirmed suicide bombing
should be to:
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Israeli bomb technicians search a suspect using a robot
following the premature explosion of his suicide bomb on May
8, 2002 near Megiddo, Israel.
1. Secure a perimeter around the incident for police, forensic and emergency workers.
2. Conduct a search for secondary devices (including suicide bombers, placed devices
and vehicle bombs).
3. Deploy officers (uniform and plainclothes) outside the perimeter to look for suspicious
individuals.
4. In the event of a suspected premature explosion of a suicide bomber, carefully check
the body of the bomber for secondary devices or unexploded components..
5. Injured suspected suicide bombers should be required to strip prior to bomb squad
personnel approaching to conduct a physical search.
6. Inspection of wounded suicide bombers should be conducted with remote means
whenever possible.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSI TI VE
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For Official Use Only - Unauthorized Reproduction, Publication or Distribution Prohibited
Israeli bomb technicians search a suspect using a robot following
the premature explosion of his suicide bomb on May 8, 2002
near Megiddo, Israel.
This document is FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY and BOMB TECHNICIAN SENSITIVE. It is
disseminated to personnel serving as active duty bomb technicians in public safety Improvised
Explosive Device Disposal and military Explosive Ordnance Disposal units for reference purposes only.
Further dissemination is restricted by the FBI, Bomb Data Center.